Another naval piercing

At A Glance Author Jessica Contact mooniz18@hotmail.com Studio 4:20 Location Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

There is nothing quite like a bellybutton ring don't ya think? The first time I saw one was on a model on tv. I wanted one right then. But this was before I knew about BME. I didn't know how to research it, and so I didn't know what to expect. So I didn't even really consider it. My friend was always talking about how badly she wanted one. We both agreed neither sets of parents would like it.

Finally we graduated and it was time for the "senior trip". Four of us went to Myrtle Beach. I was determined to get something pierced. First, I had talked about my tongue (which i actually just did a couple of days ago), but I wanted to be able to enjoy all the food I would get that week. On the way to the beach (it's about 8 hours from Gray, Tennessee), we all tried to decide what I should pierce. I thought about my naval, but all of my friends had such horror stories (not their own personal experiences of course) that I got too scared. Finally, I just decided to get my cartlidge done (with a needle, not a gun!). So we got to the beach and got a little burnt. The second day we were there we went to a place called 4:20 that a friend of a friend had heard about. It was the usual little t-shirt and gift shop. We went in (all 4 of us) to ask about pricing, procedure, etc. The man we talked to was not the actual piercer, but he knew all the answers to our questions. Finally I decided to do my ear, and it was quite painful. My friend Amanda was so proud of me that she came up with a scheme of her own. We went to get some food from a local store and she decided that the next day she would just go get her bellybutton pierced. I told her if she did I would. So we went back all excited and decided not to tell the others.

We had a blast that night, and of course met some guys. We stayed up to watch the sunrise at about 5:30, and then went to bed. Manda and I got up around 11 and had lunch. Then we told the others we were going to the store to get some post cards and food (they had just gotten up and we knew they wouldn't want to go with us). So off we went. When we got there the same two guys were there. We talked to them about it again, and finally we decided to go for it! Amanda went first. They didn't have a dentist chair, just a lawn chair. They marked her while she was standing. Then she laid back flat into the chair. On went the clamps and in went the needle. She didn't really have any look of pain on her face, so I figured no big deal. Finally it was my turn. Amanda got up happy as can be and I got marked and laid down. On went the clamps...then came the needle. Definitely not a pleasant experience, but not as bad as the ear either. Amanda was holding my hand and she started swaying. She dropped my hand and turned around and said "I think I need to sit down". I asked if she was okay and right then she passed out. The two men helped her really quickly. So there I lay helpless with a needle stuck in me! Manda woke up and ate some candy, so the piercer came back. He put on new gloves and got out a ring. He pulled the needle out and put the ring in. This doesn't really hurt very much. He twisted the ring and put the ball in very tightly. Then he cleaned it and, between glances at my light-headed buddy, explained after care instructions for the 2nd time.

I walked over to see Amanda, and she was feeling better. We sat around for a few minutes, and she said she could get up. So we went to pay and she got dizzy again. We sat down in the middle of the floor while the guy that worked the counter brought more candy. I felt fine, but hungry so I had some candy too. Amanda said she felt fine so we paid and got in the car. She was driving and decided that I should drive instead. The minute she got in the passenger seat she vomited. I tried to help her get out the door but she couldn't move, so her car got a little dirty. Then she was fine and we went back. Amanda took a shower, and I told our friends. They were really excited! Later, Manda said, she saw him piercing me and realized what had happened to her, and after the adrenaline rush it was a little too much. We both said if we had the chance to go back we'd do it again.

So there ya go. Do your research and go somewhere good. Take good care of it. Mine was only sore when I cleaned it. Don't touch it unless your hands are clean. If you play with it, it can get infected. Have fun with it! Email me if you have questions!